Volvo Ocean Race- Abu Dhabi's Southern Ocean repair + Video

Craig Satterthwaite inspects the bolts as the glue sets, after Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing had to fix delamination damage, sustained during leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Auckland, New Zealand to Itajai, Brazil.

In order to carry out the repair, the crew had to slow the boat to a standstill and tilt it onto its side in heavy weather so bowman Justin Slattery, lowered overboard secured to a rope and in full safety gear, could tighten the bolts on the outside of the hull.

'Wade and Craig oversaw the repairs down below and Justin Slattery was the man over the side on the halyard tightening the bolts.

'Everyone else was helping, there was a lot of stuff going on.'

It’s the second major repair the Abu Dhabi crew have had to carry out in Leg 5 from Auckland, New Zealand, to Itajaí, Brazil.

The team chose to return to Auckland within hours of starting the leg to repair structural damage to a bulkhead in the bow.

Azzam 'hove to' for the repair work to the damaged hull, in the middle of the Southern Ocean. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing during leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Auckland, New Zealand to Itajai, Brazil. (Credit: Nick Dana/Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing/Volvo Ocean Race)

Walker said he was in talks with his team about how to progress, and that all options were open.

'The message is we’re in good shape,' he said.

'Right now we’re sailing with two people on deck, everyone else is down below resting.

'We’re making good progress towards the Chilean coast at the moment, north east away from the worst of the incoming weather.'

Azzam 'hove to' for the repair work to the damaged hull, in the middle of the Southern Ocean. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing during leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Auckland, New Zealand to Itajai, Brazil. (Credit: Nick Dana/Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing/Volvo Ocean Race)